Belize Bush Medicine: Jackass Bitters

Belizean Bush Medicine: Jackass Bitters (Neurolaena lobata)

The entire Jackass Bitters plant is highly respected as it is a strong remedy for many diseases, but I have to say it’s the bitterest thing you will ever taste!

The leaves of Jackass Bitters can be used to cleanse the blood. Boil six to eight leaves in a half gallon of water and drink as a tea during the morning for three to four days.

We also put the leaves&stalks in our out-door bathtub to help with skin irritations, bug-bites, scratches and scars.

Native people in the area have used jackass bitters to treat cancer, diabetes, dysentery and malaria, intestinal parasites, amoebas, skin fungus, candida, and viral conditions, stomach problems and ulcers. The infusion also serves as an insect repellent. Traditionally, the herb is taken internally as a tea or a wine or used topically to bathe wounds and infections, or as a hair wash to get rid of lice.

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Our Donation Stand

MANGO SEASON is almost done at the farm. Here, Rebecca is helping us set up a donation stand of mangos on the side of the road. ファームではマンゴーの時期がそろそろ終わってしまうと言う悲しい事実。ここではレベッカがマンゴーを道沿いで通りかかる人々にドネーションしています!

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パクビトゥンファームでボランティア!

PACBITUN FARM/パクビトゥンファーム ~カリブの国とマヤ山脈のジャングル地帯に位置する有機農園&文化センターでボランティア〜

ファームで生活しながら有機農業体験とマヤ遺跡、そして自然探検ツアーを体験するのに最適な場所です。畑ボランティアと、ここで行っているワークショップのお手伝いをしたり現地の工芸品の作り方を学んだりしませんか?

*キャンプ場、カバーニャス又は、ドミトリー
*有機野菜と果物
*バードワォッチング、洞窟探検ツアー、川や滝での水浴、遺跡探検
*ワークショップ&イベント
*マヤ風野外キッチン
*薪ストーブの五右衛門風呂
*ソーラーパネル式電気発電
*wifiインターネット

<<ボランティアする方にお願い>>
*研修期間中、1日/USD$5(キャンプ代)
*1日4時間、1週間5日の労働作業(種まき、草刈り等)
*食事は個人の責任
*ファームでのチームワークで楽しい農園生活をしよう!
*ゴミ等の無駄を減らそう!

<<必要な物>>
*懐中電灯
*寝袋
*テント(キャンピングする方)

Contact us on Facebook: PACBITUN FARM (San Antonio Village, Cayo, Belize)/ Facebookで”Like”して友達に広めよう!

Big Rock Falls

Activities near Pacbitun Farm: Big Rock Falls (Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve)

This is the closest waterfall/river swimming spot from the farm.  Great for cooling off and spending a day by the river with a picnic!

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The Case of The Botfly

Rebecca got one on her shoulder recently . . . locals recommended, and so we have treated it with natural tobacco leaves.

Wild Life: Botfly

“The human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, is one of several species of fly the larvae of which parasitise humans.

Dermatobia fly eggs have been shown to be vectored by over 40 species of mosquitoes and muscoid flies, as well as one species of tick; the femalecaptures the mosquito and attaches its eggs to its body, then releases it. Either the eggs hatch while the mosquito is feeding and the larvae use the mosquito bite area as the entry point, or the eggs simply drop off the muscoid fly when it lands on the skin. The larvae develop inside the subcutaneous layers, and after approximately eight weeks, they drop out to pupate for at least a week, typically in the soil. The adults are large flies resembling bumblebees. They are easily recognized because they lack mouthparts.”

Actun Tunichil Muknal

Activities near Pacbitun Farm: Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre) aka ATM.

This is a notable Maya archaeological site that includes skeletons, several ceramics, and stoneware. A definite must do in Belize. National Geographic rated this cave the #1 Sacred Cave on Earth! 

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“As it is said in myths told by the Maya, journeys to the underworld are never easy, and after visiting ATM, you may feel that you have been through your own epic test. Access to the Maya sacrificial site within the cave involves hiking, wading, and underwater swimming, but nearly a mile (1.6 kilometers) underground you will reach the resting place of the “crystal maiden,” a complete skeleton that sparkles from eons of crystal calcification. The cave is also known for it’s Maya pottery shards, many showing the “kill hole” intended to allow spirits to escape.”

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かつて、この地域に住んでいたマヤの人々にとって、洞窟は冥界への入口であり、信仰の対象であり、そして、儀式を執り行う舞台でした。熱帯雨林が色濃く残るカリブの小国ベリーズには、当時のマヤの人々の痕跡が残る手つかずの鍾乳洞がいまだに数多く遺されています。

ここは、アクトゥン・チュニチル・ムクナル、通称「ATM」

一番最後の写真は洞窟に眠る1200年前の少年の骨…古代マヤ人によって神に捧げられた生け贄です。干ばつなどに苦しめられたとき、生け贄をささげ雨を祈ったこともあったのです。真っ暗闇の鍾乳洞の中を、時には地下水脈の中を泳ぎ、時には自分の背丈以上の壁をよじ登って、さらに奥へ奥へと進んでいく。ここでしかできない大冒険、アドベンチャー好きな方にオススメ!!

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VOLUNTEER @ PACBITUN FARM

VOLUNTEER @ PACBITUN FARM – Environmental and Cultural Research Centre

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RECRUITING travelers, adventurers, researchers, gardeners, farmers, artists and/or craft-makers! Come explore the Maya lands in San Antonio, Cayo District Belize, foot-hills of the Maya Mountains. Ruins, caves, waterfalls, rivers, and more! Pacbitun Farm is in the ideal location for day-trips to visit the monuments of natural Belize (Caracol Ruins, ATM, Barton Creek, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Big Rock Falls and more!)

OFFERING TO VOLUNTEERS:

*CAMPING SPACE, CABANAS and/or DORMS
*ACESS TO COMMUNAL MAYA STYLE KITCHEN
*SEASONAL ORGANIC FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
*WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
*BIRD WATCHING, CAVING, SWIMMING & EXPLORING RUINS
*WOOD HEATED OUTDOOR BATHTUB / OUTDOOR SHOWER
*SOLAR POWERED WIFI INTERNET
*SOLAR POWERED ELECTRICITY

WHAT WE ASK FROM VOLUNTEERS:

*pay US$5 a day for first week for camping space and utilities.
*4hours a day labour 5 days a week (tasks include, planting, harvesting, weeding, watering, etc.)
*provide your own food (cooking available in communal kitchen.)
*work as a team with other members on the farm.
*understand the concept of minimizing waste, WE ARE A DEVELOPING PERMACULTURE/ORGANIC FARM 

MUST BRING:

*flashlight
*sleeping-bag
*tent (if camping)

Contact us on Facebook: PACBITUN FARM (San Antonio Village, Cayo, Belize.)

Sour Sap the “Super Fruit” @ Pacbitun Farm

“Sour sop” aka Guanabana, or Graviola. The principal interest in this plant is because of its strong anti-cancer effects.
Although it is effective for a number of medical conditions, it is its anti tumor effect that is of most interest.
This plant is a proven cancer remedy for cancers of all types.

Besides being a cancer remedy, graviola is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent for both bacterial and fungal infections,
is effective against internal parasites and worms, lowers high blood pressure and is used for depression,
stress and nervous disorders.

”サワーサップ” 別名、Guanabana、またはGraviola:

主な関心は、強力な癌予防の効果である。様々なタイプの癌のための実証済みの癌治療薬である事で、今注目されています。

がん治療薬であることに加え、graviolaは、細菌および真菌感染の両方に対して抗菌剤の効果があります。
内部寄生虫/ワームに対しても有効であり、高血圧を低下させ、うつ病のためにも使用されています。ストレスや神経障害にも効果的だと言われているスーパーフルーツ!

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